Thursday, May 9, 2013

Review: The Rules For Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Title: The Rules For Disappearing
Author: Ashley Elston
Series: Book One in the Rules For Disappearing Series
Published By: Disney-Hyperion (May 14, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.





My Thoughts and Review:

I love Ethan. He might very well be the best part of this book. Okay, maybe not the best part because I really enjoyed the storyline and the other characters as well but I just adored Ethan. He was just amazing and I love that he never gave up on Meg. That he pushed her when she didn't want to be pushed and stuck with her when she didn't want anyone there. You have to admire a guy for that. 

Where to start with the rest of the story? Hmm, not sure really without giving too much away.

Meg is in witness protection along with the rest of her family and she is there for reasons she doesn't even know why. All she knows is that for the past 8 months, things have not been the same. She was uprooted from her home in the middle of the night and on the run since. 
By the time she gets to the little town in Louisiana she has had enough. Her family is falling apart and she is tired of running from something she has no clue about. She wants answers and she will do just about anything to get them.

Meg was a very different character. She isn't helpless but she isn't necessarily strong either (at least, not at first). She isn't always nice and she certainly isn't charming but that too has it's reasons and they all make sense as the story unfolds. Meg's life is in shambles and by the time we get a glimpse into her life, she is almost ready to give up...almost.

Instead of taking things for how they are she decides to fight back and get some answers.

I have to say, I really liked how this story unfolded and even though I suspected some of the things that happened were going to happen, I still really enjoyed this. I loved getting to watch Meg take charge and be in control and do something about her life. It was nice to see her fight for what she wanted for herself and her family. I was happy that she didn't just sit there and take it all, even if that meant putting herself into some pretty stupid situations and hurting some people along the way.

The secondary characters in this one were pretty great. As you already know, I loved Ethan. I also really loved Teeny, Catherine and Pearl. They were great characters that really added a lot to the story and gave it extra life when it needed it.

The best part about this one though is that I know there will be a sequel because lets face it, that ending was amazing and slightly creepy and I really want to find out more. Without ruining anything for you, there were a few unanswered questions that I would love to find out and I can only hope that in the sequel we get those answers and one heck of an adventure along the way. Because really, I want to see Meg and Ethan again. I love their relationship and I want to see it grow and blossom as well. 


13 comments:

  1. To be honest, I thought this started out great, and then in the second part, there were just too many things that didn't make sense. I really like Ethan too, though, and I enjoyed the first half immensely.
    Great review!

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  2. YAY! I really liked this one too! I loved not really knowing what was going on, and while that frustrates me in some books, it didn't at all in this one. Maybe because Meg was desperately trying to figure everything out as well. And I adored Ethan, he was fantastic:) Lovely review!

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  3. I have this on my pile for this month. It sounds good and I'm super curious about the whole mystery of it. Hopefully I can read it soon!

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  4. Well even though it was predictable it does sound like it entertained you, but it sounds like it may appeal to a younger audience more.

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  5. It's great that this one kept you so entertained! I need to meet this Ethan, this is the second review I've read that is singing his praises. :-) Fantastic review!

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  6. Thanks everyone!

    And Lauren, Ethan alone makes this read worth it. :)

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  7. I was looking forward to reading this before its release but my interest just kinda fizzled out. I think I jur forgot about it and I had read some not so good reviews on it. I think I'll just wait for a library copy to come my way but I'm glad you loved it. Ethan sounds fantastic so I can't wait to meet him. Thanks for the review!

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  8. So I am guessing no cliffhanger... I am wondering what the creepy part of the ending was all about. The Witness Protection Program is a fascinating topic for me and I don't know much about it, of course.

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  9. This one didn't ever really capture my attention and I don't know why. When I read the blurb and your review I sounds like something I SHOULD want to read. I should just try it, especially since I have pretty good luck with this publisher.

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  10. I don't know Christy, this wasn't mind blowing but what it lacked the characters made up for, if that makes sense!

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  11. I like the idea of witness protection program plots and see how characters deal with it, I think it would make it for an interesting concept. Glad you enjoyed most of it :) I think I would like Ethan as well!

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  12. I have been curious about this book. I think it would be something I would really like. The Witness Protection Program theme sounds interesting, and I definitely want to me Ethan. Great review!

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  13. I <3 This book!! I'm so glad you liked it! I also wrote a review on this book on my blog http://ya411.blogspot.com/

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